Trike-a-thon raises $1,300 for St. Jude

Two students at Hartford Elementary School round the curve Wednesday during the afternoon session of the school’s St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital fundraiser which raised more than $1,300 for children’s cancer research. The school easily exceeded their goal of $1,000 and the children seemed to have a blast participating.

Some students had family and friends at the school to cheer them on, like this girl, who waves at her supporters as she rounds the makeshift track on the school parking lot.

Hartford Elementary School staff and some parents helped out with the younger children Wednesday at the school’s fundraiser for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Trike-a-thon held on the school playground. One of the adults almost gets pinned between a pre-school girl and boy, much to the amusement of the girl.

HARTFORD — The wheels on the trikes went round and round Wednesday as almost 100 preschool students at Hartford Elementary School participated in a fundraiser for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

The children raised approximately $1,300 and capped their fundraising by riding trikes, bikes and an occasional scooter around a small track in the playground.

The riders went out in groups to avoid congestion as parents and classmates cheered them on. The morning class rode at 9 a.m., the afternoon class at 1 p.m.

“I had participated in one years ago,” said preschool teacher and event organizer Michelle Meyers, as the first group of preschoolers buzzed around the course in the morning. “We’ve been thinking about doing it for a long time and decided to do it this year.”

“It’s all about fun,” said Don Evin, 5. “It’s kind of cool because the sick kids are in the hospital and we’re going to give them money so they can get out of the hospital.”

Meyers said the fundraiser did more than raise money.

“Preschool is really about two things for us: making learning fun and encouraging them to be good little human beings,” she said. “They’re learning about bike safety and having fun while they’re doing it, and they are also learning how to help others.”

Avery Raymer, another 5-year-old, was cheering the riders from the sidelines before going out herself in the morning.

She was especially cheering for Caytelynn Neathery.

“She’s my best friend,” Avery said.

Caytelynn said she enjoyed riding her bike, especially to help kids at the children’s hospital. She had learned how to ride about a month ago.

Children and their families have been collecting money since February, said Michelle Meyers, one of the preschool teachers at the school and an organizer of the event.

“We have made our goal and then some,” she said

The fundraiser’s goal was originally $1,000. By the morning ride the official total was $1,110, but several hundred dollars more came in later that day, for the $1,300 total.

Principal Mark Begando was in the middle of the riders directing traffic.

“We actually have some children who surprised me, some 4-year-olds who could ride a bike without training wheels,” he said.

A few got themselves into jams, and one fell but was OK.

“I think it’s fantastic for the kids,” he added. “It’s a good cause.”

Begando added they had been teaching the students about what the hospital does.

“The kids have smiles on their faces, so I know they’re having a good time.”

Two students at Hartford Elementary School round the curve Wednesday during the afternoon session of the school’s St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital fundraiser which raised more than $1,300 for children’s cancer research. The school easily exceeded their goal of $1,000 and the children seemed to have a blast participating.

http://thetelegraph.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/web1_Trikeathon1LEAD.jpgTwo students at Hartford Elementary School round the curve Wednesday during the afternoon session of the school’s St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital fundraiser which raised more than $1,300 for children’s cancer research. The school easily exceeded their goal of $1,000 and the children seemed to have a blast participating.

Some students had family and friends at the school to cheer them on, like this girl, who waves at her supporters as she rounds the makeshift track on the school parking lot.

http://thetelegraph.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/web1_Trikeathon2SECONDARY.jpgSome students had family and friends at the school to cheer them on, like this girl, who waves at her supporters as she rounds the makeshift track on the school parking lot.

Hartford Elementary School staff and some parents helped out with the younger children Wednesday at the school’s fundraiser for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Trike-a-thon held on the school playground. One of the adults almost gets pinned between a pre-school girl and boy, much to the amusement of the girl.

http://thetelegraph.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/web1_Trikeathon3JUMPorWEB.jpgHartford Elementary School staff and some parents helped out with the younger children Wednesday at the school’s fundraiser for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Trike-a-thon held on the school playground. One of the adults almost gets pinned between a pre-school girl and boy, much to the amusement of the girl.